The Narok County Government has banned the option of private cars in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
In a memo dated June 3, the Chief Park Administrator, Alex Nabaala, stated that following the new directive, driving through the game reserve using the specified means will going forward, be banned.
“This is In line with the implementation of the Maasai Mara Management Plan, we have banned the usage of private vehicles for game drives,” read the memo in part.
According to the new directive, only safari trucks, safari land cruisers and safari vans will be allowed to embark on game drives in the park.
The directive is expected to be take effect immediately as announced by the Chief Administrator.
Previously the park allowed members of the public to embark on game drives in the parks using their vehicles, especially 4-wheel drives that could navigate the bumpy terrain.
This directive follows another, where entry fees to the facility were hiked effective January 1, 2024.
Within the rates, non-resident travellers are now required to part with Ksh13,100 (USD 100) per day while adults are expected to fork out Ksh 6,550 (USD 50) per day for children aged 9-17 years.
Meanwhile park entry will be free for children who are 8 years and below between January and June 30, 2024.
From July 1 to December 31 2024, the park however notes that non-residents will be required to pay Ksh 26,200 (USD 200) per day for adults while fees for children aged 9-17 years will be Ksh 6,550 (USD 50 per day), per child. Park entry will be free for children aged 8 and below.
Additionally, these directives follow an announcement made by the Kenya Wildlife Service aiming to have 13 hotels taken over by private investors.
In a tender notice, KWS stated that it had marked the sites which could potentially be used to develop hotels and luxury camps.
The directive also followed another announcement by the Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua revealing talks with American investors to establish facilities in national parks within the country.
“I held talks with US Ambassador Meg Whitman during a courtesy call at my office in Nairobi. Our talks focused on mutual interests, exploring the potential for American investors to establish tourist facilities in our parks and reserves through private-public partnership arrangements," the Cabinet Secretary stated at the time.
